Reloading for rifle: Powder measures

[CDR_Glock]

So I have a turret press that I’ll be using for reloading my rifle.

I’m torn amongst powder measures and automatic measures...

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I’m limited by my range distance of 250 yards.

Right now, I’m getting ready for my Suppressor to come. So I will be loading 300AAC, first. I’m shooting mainly from an AR pistol for it....

I have dies for 308, 300 AAC, 5.56 mm, 6.5 Grendel, and 7 mm-08. I’m good on my supplies for All, except 300 AAC.

Any experience or suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.


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[Uni-Vibe]

I use the same RCBS powder dumper I have for 40 years, for both rifle and pistol. Very similar to the lock-and-load pictured above. I tend to use powders that meter well in such tools, e.g. AA5 and AA9. I use Ramshot TAC for .223 and it works out just fine.

[gaijin]

Sorta depends on your volume of reloading.

For load development and just a few hunting rds. I use a 30 year old RCBS "Uniflow".

For loading multiple hundreds of rds. I use an "RCBS Chargemaster". It is still a marathon.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-reg-ChargeMaster-Combo/741110.uts

[Lefty223]

IMHO a powdah that meters well has more bearing on potential for consistency than the measure. I have a collection of over a dozen, from vintage (Belding & Mull and old Hollywood) to cheap (Lee Perfect) to acknowledged precision (Harrell’s benchrest).

The B&M is by far my favorite, but if forced to choose the ‘best all around’, the Lee would get the nod.

[CDR_Glock]

These insights raise another question for me on my Turret use. Should I mount a powder measure onto the turret or should I mount it onto my bench/desk?

I think I may get a powder measure for speed loading but also get an electronic powder measure like the RCBS 1500 for precision.


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[Kenneth]

Just do yourself a favor and get the chargemaster.

Plenty of people use them including myself and shoot past 1k easily. I haven’t shot factory ammo in a long time and make hits out to 1300 with my 6.5 creed.


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[gunnerblue]

For high volume loading I’ll use powder throwers with powders that meter well (TAC, H110, WSF). For precision and/or low volume I’ve used a balance beam and trickled combo. Very precise but slow. I recently bought a Chargemaster from a member here and love it. Very fast and accurate with extruded powders which is great for my loads requiring H4350, Varget, etc. It’s really the beat of both worlds when it comes to speed and precision.

[jack crab]

For years, I used RCBS powder measures and scales. However, a month or so back, I purchased the RCBS Chargmaster Lite.

For several uses, awesome. Superperformance and Reloder 16 were spot on. H4350 had a struggle. But, over/under charges go back in the hopper. Over about 500 rounds, it had about a 20% missed weight.

Then, sadness. I plugged it in last week. Gave it the 25 minute warm up, and it is essentially a random number generator. The displays just rolls up and down with varying weights. I thought maybe it was a one time event. But, it persists after 3 tries a couple days apart.

So, back to RCBS it goes tomorrow.

[m1a_scoutguy]

I have a very OLD Hornady Lock-N-Load powder measure that works great for most loading. I have used it sparingly with rifle powders, at least extruded types but works fine for ball powder. Always wanted a RCBC Chargmaster but just never could justify the $$$$ when these work just as good and is really faster than the chargemaster, ;) at least for me, check them out there cheap and work great then decide what fancy scale you mite buy ! https://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit.html

[308sako]

I have an older Lyman 55, and an RCBS, but I use a Redding BR3.

As mentioned above it is critical for precision to use a powder that meters consistently. For the .300 Blackout I can strongly recommend the Winchester 296 or H110 ball powders. I have found IMR 8208 XBR or Hodgdon's Benchmark to meter well enough to use thrown charges in the 5.56.

If I am loading ammunition for ELR shooting I use an electronic scale as I have found more issues with beam balances not to my liking (or older eyesight!)

Best of luck, just learn to get the most from the tools you choose.

[masan]

These insights raise another question for me on my Turret use. Should I mount a powder measure onto the turret or should I mount it onto my bench/desk?



I wouldn't mount it to the press, you will be disturbing the powder stack in the measure, which will make it nearly impossible to get consistent results.

[mic2377]

I have an old RCBS Uniflow. It is very accurate with ball powders, works pretty good with flake/short cut extruded powders (IE 8208 XBR), and is still not half bad for long grain extruded powders like H4895 and Varget. It still throws +/- 0.2 gr despite occasionally cutting grains.

I hear the Lee Perfect measure actually works extremely well with long grain extruded powders, as it has "wipes" inside. I have been meaning to give it a try.

While I have wanted to get a much more accurate measuring method, IE a Chargemaster, I don't have too much trouble with making 223 and 308 ammo that holds in the 1.25-1.5 MOA range out to 800 yds. This is plenty good enough for banging steel and not worth the time, effort, and $$$ for me to go further. I am sure I have the occasional miss due to some vertical dispersion but I only shoot semi-autos and they just aren't bench guns either.

[markm]

I still have the Herrels measure to work on. We want to run H4350 in it.

[Bimmer]

So I have a turret press that I’ll be using for reloading my rifle...

I’m limited by my range distance of 250 yards.


I have a Dillon RL550B, and I can't shoot past 300yds, and I was planning to just use the Dillon powder measure...

Doesn't your turret press come with a powder measure?

[Rockzilla]

Use an ole RCBS Duo-measure the most, meters well. Got Uni-flows, Old Lyman 55, Redding
the Harrell's measures are great but $$$. Scales have to go old school beam Ohaus 10-10,
RCBS 10-10, Lyman M5 basically the same scale all made in USA, do have a Digital but mainly
use the beams especially the ones tuned by Scott Parker, also pick up a good set of "check
weights", as far as "fix" for not seeing to well, use a old smart phones camera then connect it
via USB to a computer / tablet / laptop or buy a "cheap" USB camera connect it to the device
of choice or a "cheap" bore site camera (Amazon) you can use it as a powder check also so it's
not limited to one task.

-Rock

[CDR_Glock]

I have a Dillon RL550B, and I can't shoot past 300yds, and I was planning to just use the Dillon powder measure...

Doesn't your turret press come with a powder measure?

It did not come with a powder measure.

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I acquired a Hornady that I have a mount installed onto the desk.

Ok, so I organized everything, finally. Now I can see when I’m running low on components.

I put all Brass, primers, and bullets next to each press. The primer tubes in the center with the primer tray. The manual is on the edge of the bench. I have others to put there, too (Hornady, Speer, and Lyman).

The tumblers are on the ground since one time it tumbled off of the bench. I decided it was best to put them in a corner.




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[jack crab]

For years, I used RCBS powder measures and scales. However, a month or so back, I purchased the RCBS Chargmaster Lite.

For several uses, awesome. Superperformance and Reloder 16 were spot on. H4350 had a struggle. But, over/under charges go back in the hopper. Over about 500 rounds, it had about a 20% missed weight.

Then, sadness. I plugged it in last week. Gave it the 25 minute warm up, and it is essentially a random number generator. The displays just rolls up and down with varying weights. I thought maybe it was a one time event. But, it persists after 3 tries a couple days apart.

So, back to RCBS it goes tomorrow.


UPDATE:
Fortunately, I did not get around to sending it back before calling RCBS customer support.

The person I spoke to said that random fluctuations are caused by a build up of static electricity. She said to wipe everything down with a anti-static dryer sheet.

I did. It solved the problem. Back in business. The only down side is whatever is in the sheets has left a film on everything.

[Achilles11B]

I’ve had a Lock-N-Load for about a year now, I’m a big fan. No issues with multiple types of powders. I think it would suit your purposes if you’re still considering it.